Tuesday, June 08, 2010

POTLUCK - @ I Heart Cooking Club

You know, in spite of the fact that I like the cookbook How to Cook Everything, the fact that everything I have prepared from his book has produced very appealing and flavorful meals/appies, I also love how he writes....But....I just can't warm up to this guy.

It shouldn't matter, if you like the cookbook and the end result. (shrugging shoulder) I guess I just felt a connection to Nigella. And I like Jamie Oliver. Bittman may be the nicest guy in the world but...I dunno. Probably an article I read about him a few months back that disappointed me and it's just stuck.

Well...enough of my prattling........the theme this week is Potluck. So I revisited stuffed mushrooms. The ones I prepared as appetizers (back in April) were good. I wrote about them HERE. But these turned out better........

I took a few fat mushrooms, washed then, pulled the stem out....

Mixed about 4 tablespoons of softened cream cheese with minced garlic, 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese and a pinch of chives.

Gently stuff the mushrooms and top with Panko breadcrumbs and sliver of butter. I mean a tiny infinitesimal hair-sized butter piece.

Place on a silpat or a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes at400 F.

These made great little appies with a glass or two of Chardonnay. A nice padding for the stomach for the meal to come whilst tipping a wineglass.

I'll have to agree with you on this one. I can't seem to warm up to Bittman either. I like his recipes and the way he writes, but Nigella was something special. I think it was her charismatic personality that got me hooked on her. But her recipes are also unique and amazing. I find Bittman's recipes to be more like everyday home-style cooking (which is not a bad thing). I do miss Nigella, though.

I am not to be trusted with appetizers like this sitting in front of me. I would devour them. I have the same feelings about Mario Batali that you have for Bittman. There is something that prevents me from warming up to them. I guess I'd called it a sense of superiority or barely veiled conceit. All that aside. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Mary - Thank you Mary. And you know what, I finally remembered what it was about Bittman that disappointed me.

I read an article about one of his book signings and there were these two women who had bought all his cookbooks. They were sooooo pumped to see him at the book signing and looking forward to getting his autograph and meeting a favorite author.

Well.....Bittman was having a bad night and he was surly and couldn't have made it clearer that it was a damn big inconvenience for him to be thee. The ladies were crushed, as I would be if one of my favs turned out to be an ungracious ass.

Spain was great Tina - unfortunately I had no Internet access so your address (in my email account) was unavailable to send a postcard :o( We're going down there for a day or two in the summer though, so I'll send then!

Girlichef - I would be pleased to pass a plate of these bad boys around our Bittman cocktail party :-) Oh, I am a bit harsh on Bittman but I will say, I love the cookbook I bought and it's getting some use.

I had only watched his little cooking videos on the NY Times site until recently. Just bought Food Matters and, yes I noticed what you were talking about, the difference is quite marked. He communicates so much better live (or taped or whatever) funny guy.

Just had some fabulous stuffed mushrooms when we went out this weekend and have been looking for a good recipe. This sounds like it.